Nepal Challenges India and China's Plans for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
Nepal's Territorial Dispute with India
Nepal has reignited its longstanding territorial conflict with India by formally protesting the decision made by New Delhi and Beijing to conduct the 2026 Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the Lipulekh Pass, a strategically significant Himalayan route located at the India-Nepal-China trijunction. In a statement from Kathmandu, Nepal’s Foreign Ministry asserted that the Lipulekh area is part of Nepali territory and emphasized that neither India nor China has the authority to conduct activities there without Nepal's approval. This protest follows India's Ministry of External Affairs announcement that the 2026 Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is scheduled for June to August, involving 1,000 pilgrims traveling in groups via two routes — Nathu La in Sikkim and Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand — in collaboration with China. Kathmandu expressed that it had not been consulted or informed about this decision.
The Persistent Nature of the Dispute
Why The Dispute Keeps Returning
The Lipulekh dispute continues to resurface despite years of diplomatic efforts. Nepal's current stance is based on four main arguments: the interpretation of the Sugauli Treaty, its updated constitutional map, historical records, and ongoing diplomatic protests. However, Nepal does not have physical control over Lipulekh and Kalapani, while India maintains both administrative and military presence in the region. India asserts that the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has historically utilized the Lipulekh route since 1954 and claims its position on the border issue is 'consistent and clear.' External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recently remarked that Nepal's claims are 'neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence.' Despite the heated exchanges, both nations continue to advocate for diplomatic dialogue rather than confrontation.
Significance of Lipulekh for Nepal
Why Lipulekh Matters So Much To Nepal
At the core of this dispute is a historical disagreement regarding the source of the Kali River, which was designated as Nepal's western boundary under the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli, established after the Anglo-Nepalese War. Nepal contends that the river originates at Limpiyadhura, thus claiming all territory east of that point, including Kalapani and Lipulekh, as legally belonging to Nepal. Conversely, India argues that the river's true source is further east near Lipukhola, placing the contested territory within Indian borders. This disagreement involves a strategically vital Himalayan corridor linking India, Nepal, and Tibet. Following the 1962 Sino-Indian War, India set up military posts in the Kalapani area to monitor Chinese activities near the border. Over time, India has maintained administrative and military control over the region, while Nepal continues to assert its historical claims. For many years, the dispute remained relatively quiet diplomatically until 2020.
The Turning Point in 2020
The 2020 Road Crisis Changed Everything
The modern political flashpoint arose in May 2020 when India inaugurated an 80-kilometer road constructed by the Border Roads Organisation, linking Dharchula to Lipulekh Pass. India characterized this project as a strategic infrastructure enhancement aimed at improving access for pilgrims traveling to Kailash Mansarovar and bolstering connectivity near the China border. However, Nepal perceived it differently. The government led by then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli accused India of encroaching on Nepali territory and lodged strong diplomatic protests. Kathmandu subsequently revealed a new official political map that included Limpiyadhura, Kalapani, and Lipulekh as part of Nepal. In June 2020, Nepal's Parliament unanimously approved the revised map, effectively elevating the territorial claim to a constitutional matter. India dismissed Nepal's action as a 'unilateral act' lacking historical foundation and maintained that all activities occurred within Indian territory. This incident marked one of the most significant downturns in India-Nepal relations in recent years. However, within Nepal, the issue sparked strong nationalist sentiments, uniting the otherwise fragmented political landscape and transforming the border dispute into a potent domestic political symbol.
China's Role in the Dispute
China’s Position Adds Another Layer To The Dispute
The dispute is further complicated by China's involvement as a third party at the trijunction. Nepal has consistently objected to bilateral agreements between India and China regarding Lipulekh. Kathmandu strongly protested in 2015 when New Delhi and Beijing agreed to utilize Lipulekh as a trade corridor and pilgrimage route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra without Nepal's inclusion in the discussions. A similar controversy arose in 2025 when India and China agreed to reopen Lipulekh for border trade during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India. Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli later addressed the issue directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin. Reports indicate that Xi did not endorse Nepal's territorial claim but also refrained from outright rejecting it, suggesting that the dispute is fundamentally a bilateral issue between Nepal and India. This has led to frustration in Nepal, where many feel that both India and China continue to make decisions regarding disputed territory without adequately considering Kathmandu's stance.